Titans Return Leader Class Sky Shadow Review

TR Sky Shadow toy is a reincarnation of Black Shadow of the Transformers Victory Line in Japan. Little known about the character because he only appeared in one episode. He is a crossformer like his G1 counterpart but the mold is consist of two vehicles, a tank and a jet that are able to combine together to form a robot mode or a base mode. The leader class size toy is a new mold with 4 modes and consist of a headmaster Ominus, a gun and a shield that adds to the playability and gimmick.
 

Jet mode and Tank mode
TR Sky Shadow toy transforms into a Cybertronian Jetfighter which is petite similar to the Jet mode of Energon Megatron. The shield can be attached to the cockpit making the jet a bit longer and is a similar innovation with the G1 Black Shadow. Released as a new mold, Sky shadow jet mode is the best jetfighter in the Titans Return line for me. The tank mode is equally good as the jet mode using the gun of Sky Shadow it can be mouthed in the turret of the tank. The engineering of the transformation is quite easy without the manual. Just check the art box at the back you can enjoy the four modes in no time.

Base mode
By far, the best base station in the Titans Return generations line. It can be used as battle station of small transformers toys or headmasters. The gimmick of transformation is basic, the cockpit of the jet mode is used as the tower where you can place Ominus ready to pull the trigger of the gun and spreading the legs and arms vertically and horizontally where you can peg small transformers.

Color Schemes
The paint application of the toy is imposing which is based largely of black, red on his chest, crotch, cockpit, knee, gray on his arms, shoulders, waist and silver on his chest, shoulders, and lower torso.

Points of Articulation

Ball joint (legs)
Hip joint (none)
Hinge joint (knees and arms)
Pivot (head)
Saddle joints (feet)
Pros : 4 modes, headmaster, well articulated
Cons: Plastic quality is average (feels like a KO toy)

Rating:

Articulation:5/5
Playability: 5/5
Paints: 5/5

Comparison of G1 Slag, SDCC Slag, and Platinum Series G1 Slag in robot mode

     I am really a die hard fan of Dinobots since I was a child.  I enjoyed watching Transformers cartoon series especially when they featured the Dinobots in some of the episodes.  Sadly, I was not able to get any toys of them during the 80's.  It took them three long decades to debut on the silver screen in Transformers Age of Extinction.  One of the dinobot characters that made them into toys is Slag sometimes Slug in the movie.  And he is the subject of this comparison review in terms of color schemes and head sculpt in robot mode only.  Below is a summary review of Slag molds from the G1 era and the movie line. 

G1 Slag

     Head sculpt is painted with Black color with red eyes.  The body is painted silver with blue white stripes stickers attached on both arms.  The chest and the crotch are painted with red color and has a black deco at the middle of the body. The autobot symbol is attached on the silver chest region.  The legs are painted black and silver with a gold deco in the feet.  Weapons include a silver chrome gun with the energon sword.

  

SDCC Slug (possible G1 color scheme)

         Translucent head with red eyes similar to his G1 counterpart but the head is based on the Age of Extinction Slug figure.  Chest and crotch are painted with red colors plus a black deco at the middle of the torso.  There is an Autobot symbol on the silver chest region and that blue and white stripes on the shoulder of him giving his overall Generation one slag appearance.  The entire arms and upper legs are painted with black color and the lower leg is silver with a touched of gold and silver which is a little copycat of his old school mold. The weapons include two red spear-like swords.

Platinum Edition G1 Slug (New Head Sculpt)

             New G1 head sculpt that is cast of black color (head) and red (eyes) very very similar to his G1 persona.  Chest and crotch paints are similar to G1 Slug and SDCC slug.  Entire arms and upper legs are painted of black but the lower legs and feet have red and silver paints, respectively. The weapons include two red spear-like swords.

Final thoughts:  This review is based on the pictures in the internet but it seems that G1 slug and SDCC have a lot of similarities in terms of color apps while G1 slug and Platinum Edition G1 Slug have similar head sculpt. I do not have the three figures but I want to get them. I do have the G2 Slag, AOE Slag and Platinum series Slag. It is really tempting to get the PE G1 Slug with the new head sculpt. The only thing that is holding me back is the price of it once release in the local malls and hobby shops.  

Credits to the following sites: 
http://www.tomopop.com/hasbro-reveals-sdcc-exclusive-g1-style-dinobot-set-34828.phtml.
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/526391-generation-one-toys-appreciation-thread-only-donuts-post-here-912.html.
https://www.facebook.com/DaimChocReports

Revenge of the Fallen The Fallen Review

Packaging: The toy is confined in a rectangular box with a totally different packaging design in comparison to TFTM. The official transformers logo and the picture of the character are found in front. The Fallen in robot mode and Cybertronian Destroyer mode can be viewed with his technical data at the back of the box.



History: Simon Furman wrote on Transformers The Ultimate Guide, Primus had created a crew of 13 Transformers to optimize his defensive and tactical options in planet mode. But one of the 13 had been turned, and had attempted to sabotage Primus’ planet mode. “The Fallen,” as this transformer became known, was thwarted and joined his new master (Unicron)….. only to be sucked along with him into a black hole. And now for millennia, he has waited. Thousands of years have dragged by as he recruited proxies, one by one, to scour the cosmos for the artifact he required. Now he finds he must return to the primitive, flesh infected planet on which his quest began. Nothing will stand in his way this time. If need be, he will scour the surface of this disgusting world clean in the fire of his rage, and search through the blasted rubble for that which he seeks. 

Robot mode


The robot stands 20 cm or 8 inches tall. He got plentiful articulation points in the elbows, arms, hip, and knees which are ideal for different poses. The red transparent plastics are the slide-out energy absorption panels where The Fallen got his infinite strength, endurance, and fireblast. Located in his neck (can be hidden at the back of his head) and upper part of the forelimbs, it can harness tremendous amount of energy from the Sun making him almost impossible to destroy even the join forces of Optimus Prime and Megatron. 

Alternate Mode

The Fallen transforms into what it calls as Cybertronian Destroyer Mode. As a matter of fact, he has resemblance with TFTM Megatron in Cybertronian Jet Mode. The toy measures 25.5 cm or 9.8 inches from the thingypit to rudder (which happens to be his two arms). His legs and feet serving as the wings are approximately 22.5 cm or 8.5 inches in length and the hips are positioned adjacent to the thingypit of the jet. 

The Transformation (from Robot mode to Alt mode)



Color:

ROTF the Fallen comes with a glossy blue-green color with a touched of orange and silver paints. I find his color scheme extremely captivating and it matches perfectly with his character. His robot mode made him appear to look like a hybrid of alien and predator. The red transparent panels around his neck found also the upper part of the forelimb of the toy and knee joints are added attraction to the toy. Though it got a chicken feet which makes a little difficult to stand, it does not affect the overall beauty of the figure.

Pros

Lavish and great robot mode
Badass looks
Concise color schemes
Well articulated
Big for a voyager class figure
Intimidating and black sheep figure among the ROTF toys

Cons

Chicken feet is not stable 
Does not pass the kick test

Recommendation:

ROTF The Fallen figure is indeed one of the hot items sold during the toy launch. A must figure to buy with his impressive robot mode and color applications his really a winner. When I first saw the video review of the toy he already caught my attention. I’d say you would not have second thought spending 1.7k for this toy. 

Rating: 4.5/5

Revenge of the Fallen Constructicon RAMPAGE Review

 

ROTF Profile: The stink of diesel fumes and hot tar follows Rampage wherever he goes. His treads are packed with metal shards stripped from his victims, and the countless scratches covering his chassis are testament to hundreds of brutal battles. He lives to pound his enemies into submission, and thinks of little else. His idea of beauty is the sight of sun glinting off the raw edges of shredded autobot armor.

Technical Data: Strength - 9
Intelligence - 3
Speed - 4
Endurance - 9
Rank - 2
Courage - 8
Fireblast - 4
Skill - 4

Bulldozer mode

He is one of the Decepticon figures released during the ROFT Toy Launch in Megamall. A deluxe class toy sold individually it can form a robot mode, but does not combine with other members of the Constructicon team to form the mighty Devastator. According to his bio from the box, he's an unofficial Triple Changer: he has robot mode, bulldozer mode and a third mode called jackhammer mode. 

Robot mode and Jackhammer mode

Sculpt: 

Rampage (Scrapper in G1) appears as a yellow bulldozer consists of a heavy, broad steel blade or plate mounted on the front of a tractor, with a black rubberized plastic continous metal treads that become his weapon (whips) in robot and jackhammer modes. It got a silver application on the blade of track which can be lifted and force down by a hydraulic rams. The mech alive of the toys can be manipulated in the pipes. 

 

In robot mode,he stands 5 inches from head (excluding his pipes) to foot...... which I think it's too petite for a deluxe figure. His track and hydraulic rams can be placed behind as a back pack and support as the same time. Actually, Rampage would look like a freaking four-legged alien robot. Well, aside from his yellow appearance opposing his G1 green and violet colors. He got also some silver and black applications in the arms and legs, respectively. In addition, the head sculpt of the toy resembles bonecrusher. You might mistaken him as his brother or assumingly, bonecrusher has evolved and scanned another alternate mode. 

The jackhammer mode is a unique feature of the toy. Although, he does appeal me because the transformation is quite easy but it could be a selling factor of the figure because of its original gimmick.

Articulation: One of the downsides of this toy in robot mode is the lack of articulations in most of the vital parts for posebility. As a matter of fact, he does not have ball joints which is difficult to move his body parts. Rampage has limited articulations on arms, hips, and hands (claws) but none in knee and feet areas. 

Fun Factor: I'd say ROTF Rampage is good for display in bulldozer or robot mode only. The playability of the toy is limited due to articulation issues. Morever, he has a pale color and design which makes the toy inferior in my opinion. 


Pros

It has a nice bulldozer mode
Original gimmick with Jackhammer mode


Cons

Lack of articulations
Pale colors and designs
No feet for support
Doest not pass the kick test
few body parts are flimsy

Overall

Rampage could have been better with a feet. He would look badass if only they made the track as his weapon. His paint color would have been nicer with more silver and black designs to enchance the details of the robot. He got also some quality issues like he does not have a logo of decepticon on his chest and no silver application on his jackhammer piston as depicted in the card.

Rating: 3/5 

Revenge of the Fallen Constructicon MIXMASTER Review

I’m always fascinated of the power and massive looks of construction vehicles since childhood. They grew deeper on me in Transformer G1 cartoon as the first decepticon gestalt combiners called the constructicons that forms the deadly Devastator. And one of the most cold-hearted and hated characters that everyone has known is Mixmaster. 

As a toy, Mixmaster has three (3) variants name: Mixmaster Voyager An individual robot toy packaged in the Voyager class, Mixmaster combiner, sold together with the other Constructicons. Can combine with other toys to form Devastator, but has no individual robot mode, and Mixmaster Redeco, a G1 repaint of ROTF Mixmaster following the iconic green and violet paints.

In the movie/film, Mixmaster is first seen together with Rampage, Long Haul, and Scapper discovering Megatron's remains and resurrected. He is later seen on top of the Brooklyn Bridge removing a U.S. flag because of Megatron's demand for them to reveal themselves to humans. And then, he combines with the other constructicons and becomes part of Devastator and lastly, Mixmaster is torn apart and ripped off his head by Jetfire during the battle encounter. Of course, who will forget his battle mode when he turned into a mobile turret in the extended struggle with the autobots in the desert of Egypt. 


This review focuses on Mixmaster voyager toy which transforms into a cement mixer and can assume a third "Battle Mode." The box refers to him as a Triple Changer. 

SCUPLT

Alt mode

Mixmaster toy is a machine used to mix cement for concrete with a large revolving drum (silver and gray combo colors) with the big blue violet decepticon logo on it. The truck hood got a small silver insignia of decepticon too and a well designed front bumper and it has a decent silver smokestacks as well. The side mirrors and the ladder which can be switched from the side to the back of the barrel are made up of a very flexible silver rubberized plastic. The violet headlights and plastic windows (front and sides) of the truck are homage to G1 color. The toy got realistic brown chutes (through which objects are made to slide from a higher to a lower level) and a folding panel (upon which the cement is discarded in the barrel). 

Robot mode/transformation

The robot stands 5.5 inches from head to foot and with an arm length of 5.5 inches long. He is small as a voyager class figure. ROTF Mixmaster has a cool and novel foreign robot mode. He is a better mold compared to his fellow constructicons Rampage and Demolisher. The height and the length of his arms are approximately the same in proportion to his weight. He got a weird spider-looking arm and closely resembling the head of TFTM Bonecrusher and ROTF Rampage but a better one. A futuristic rendition of his G1,Classic, and animated mold which is far in terms of gimmick, articulation, fun, and style, and color scheme. 

On the transformation, the bluish gray long arms together with the 3 finger claws are hidden inside the barrel (which is easy to separate by 4 parts during transformation). The cab is turned upside down and rotated at the back to reveal his purple legs with his head sculpt. The missile launcher at the bottom is pulled out between the wheels and placed it at his back. You can tab the body (with trio red purple, silver blue and copper markings) on to the arms to attach both and push down the smokestacks on each side of the head. The legs are turned around placing the wheels in between them while the silver blue feet can be locked up to hold the robot firmly. 

Battle mode:

His ultimate weapon is the third deadly mode called mobile turret with a launching missile. On this writing, many of you have witnessed him on this mode in the movie. You can make an army building of his battle mode. It’s really a fantastic and versatile work of art because you can have a variety of his battle mode in any shape for fun. 

ARTICULATION

Mixmaster is a well-articulated figure from robot mode to battle mode. He can turn his head 360 degrees. Have several points of articulation on the shoulders (360 degrees), arms (90 degrees), and elbows (90 to 180 degrees). Similarly, the knees (90 degrees), hips (90 degrees), and feet (90 degrees) have the freedom of mobility too but the waist is sessile or stationary. 

Pros

Well-articulated robot mode and battle mode
Realistic Cement Mixer mode
Color applications are better than Mixmaster Redeco
Highly recommended toy 
Great fun factor and playability

Cons
Deluxe size for a voyager class


Rating: 4.5/5


Recommendation: A toy that you would not regret to own. If you’re planning to complete the ROTF Constructicon team get him. 

Revenge of the Fallen Constructicon LONG HAUL Review

ROTF Long haul is the fourth constructicon toy released in the recently concluded TF Megamnia event in SM Megamall. He's packaged as a voyager class figure in robot mode and transforms into a dump truck as his terrestrial mode. According to his bio, he's one of the most powerful and frighting decepticons of all time but under estimated by his fellow constructicons in the squad.









Sculpt

In alternate mode, he measures 15 cm in length and 9 cm in width. To conceal his true cybertronian identity, he transforms into a green earth moving caterpillar dump truck with a working bed that looks real unlike his G1 counterpart. The monster truck has a authentic detail and design and the dumping tray is well-articulated. He has dual rear black wheels which allows him to roll more easily.

 

In robot mode, he transforms into an approximately 17 cm voyager robot and looks very intimidating. Like his 1984 toy, he's green with blue green paneling above the head with red eyes. The mech alive is defined in the black moving piston at the arms and turning his head rotates his internal black gear. The transparent blades unveil upon pushing the panel that houses the weapon.

In robot mode, he transforms into an approximately 17 cm voyager robot and looks very intimidating. Like his 1984 toy, he's green with blue green paneling above the head with red eyes. The mech alive is defined in the black moving piston at the arms and turning his head rotates his internal black gear. The transparent blades unveil upon pushing the panel that houses the weapon.

 

Articulation

ROTF Long haul is double jointed on shoulders and knees. The mech alive on both arms give him the freedom of movement and make him an imposing robot. The hands are fixed in one place and does not allowed him to hold anything. The truck bed and rear wheels over his head and on his back limit him to do more poses. But overall, he's the best among the constructicon brothers in both modes.

 

FUN FACTOR

Despite of the minor flaws, the playability of the toy is extremely good. 


Pros

Massive and well-articulated robot mode
Great Head sculpt 
Best ROTF constructicon figure
Better incarnation of G1 Dump truck mode

Cons

truck bed and panel in robot mode limit his movement
hands lose his gripping ability

Rating: 4.90/5

Reveal the Shield Special Ops JAZZ